UNCLAS RIYADH 001160
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ISN/RA FOR DAS MHAYWARD AND ASTUKALIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENERG IAEAKNNP SA
SUBJECT: SAUDIS PREFER SEPTEMBER FOR CIVILIAN NUCLEAR
DISCUSSIONS
REF: ASTUKALIN-MGFOELLER EMAILS 7/14 AND 7/17 RE
NUCLEAR ENERGY DISCUSSIONS
Â¶1. (SBU) Post formally advised the MFA of the Department's
invitation to participate in discussions on civilian nuclear
cooperation on July 21 in an urgent diplomatic note. We also
conveyed the information to the King Abdulaziz City for
Science and Technology (KACST), which functions as the de
facto science and technology ministry, on the same day.
KACST has since forwarded the information to HH Prince Dr.
Torki bin Saud bin Mohamed al Saud, Vice President of KACST,
and the likely chief negotiator, who is currently on vacation
in the U.S. However, without specific instructions from the
MFA or Royal Protocol, KACST cannot formally respond to the
invitation.
Â¶2. (SBU) In light of the absence of most senior MFA
officials who are also on vacation, Post has also been in
touch with Royal Protocol officials, currently in Morocco
with King Abdullah. We have requested they urgently task
KACST or another appropriate agency to respond to the
invitation.
Â¶3. (SBU) In a July 22 meeting, the acting President of
KACST, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rasheed, told us frankly that August
was "not a suitable time" for these discussions, as so many
senior Saudi officials were on vacation. That said, he and
Engineer Fahad bin Huraib, the Director of International
Cooperation for KACST, would continue to seek a direction
from the MFA or Royal Protocol regarding Saudi Arabia's
response to the Department's invitation. Dr. Al-Rasheed
assessed it would actually be easier to hold short
discussions during Ramadan in September than during August,
and suggested we consider this option. If KACST does receive
permission to conduct the August discussions, he will follow
up with Prince Torki, who could potentially travel to
Washington DC while in the U.S.
GFOELLER